Thinking about entering the Cannes Young Lions Competition? We consulted with the 2020/21 PR winners, Mission's Mica Keeney and Caitlin Corcoran, for advice based on their experience (and success!). Read on for their top five tips for putting your best foot forward (and check out their winning campaign here).
Mica Keeney, Caitlin Corcoran
1. Prep—this isn't your average proposal.
Do your research and spend time getting to know the charity partner, their previous campaigns, and most critical work to date. Reviewing the past winners’ proposal, posted on the Cannes Young Lions website, is also helpful, especially when trying to structure all of your thinking into 10 slides or less.
2. Be bold, never boring.
Don’t stick with the safe idea. Even if your daily clients aren’t as adventurous, this proposal is all about creativity and thinking big. So, go for it!
3. Every detail counts.
While the right idea will get you in the door, the competition judges each proposal on more than just that. In addition to creative, strategy, execution, and projected results are where you can let your skills shine through. If you make it to the finals, your confidence in presenting is also what will bring home the gold.
4. Don't ignore design!
While we aren’t graphic designers and design is not included in the official judging criteria, a clean, beautiful (and legible) deck goes a long way. Spend time on formatting, proofreading, and image selection.
5. Step outside of your comfort zone.
Working exclusively as a team of two is a fun, new challenge. Embrace it! Lean on each other’s unique strengths and support each other through the obstacles. You’ll win as a duo, which makes the experience truly one-of-a-kind.
